Which option is right for you?

Hosts who want to control the amount of fat

When you make popcorn yourself, you can choose how much oil and seasoning to use. It does take time and the right equipment, though, and any ingredients added later count towards the finished portion too.

Hosts with little time to prepare

Microwave popcorn can be made just before the Easter egg hunt and then served in bowls. The amount of fat in these bags is set by the recipe.

Families with questions about ingredients or allergens

If you’re shopping for children and adults, check the ingredients, declared allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the specific pack. For seasoned popcorn, the nutritional information for the variety you choose also matters.

What should you look for when buying?

Make popcorn from kernels

A good choice if: You have time before the Easter egg hunt and want to decide how much oil and seasoning to use.

Bear in mind: You’ll need the right equipment, and the fat content of the finished popcorn will also depend on the oil and any other ingredients you use.

Microwave popcorn

A good choice if: You want to make popcorn just before serving and have access to a microwave.

Bear in mind: The fat is already part of the recipe, and the bag and steam may be hot after cooking.

Ready-to-eat popcorn

A good choice if: You don’t want to set aside time or equipment to prepare popcorn at the snack station.

Bear in mind: You can’t change the amount of oil or seasoning once you’ve bought it.

What matters to you What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Amount of fat Compare fat and saturated fat per 100 g. If making it yourself, factor in the amount of oil and any other ingredients. I want to serve popcorn at the Easter egg hunt and decide for myself how much oil to add. This is the main consideration for around 42% of consumers.
Preparation time Check the preparation method and pack size. For microwave bags, follow the power and cooking time instructions. If I need several bowls ready just before things start, being able to plan the preparation matters more to me. This is the main concern for about 33% of consumers.
Ingredients and labelling Read the ingredients list, declared allergens and ‘may contain’ warnings. Compare the sugar and salt per 100 g for the variety you choose. I need to be able to check the ingredients and warnings on the pack before serving it to my guests. This takes priority for around 25% of consumers.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming microwave popcorn is automatically lower in fat

    The varieties reviewed differ considerably: REWE lists 13 g of fat per 100 g for REWE Beste Wahl sweet microwave popcorn, HEIMATGUT lists 18 g for its salted microwave popcorn, and EDEKA lists 21 g for GUT&GÜNSTIG salted microwave popcorn. These figures apply to the specific varieties named.

    Compare the fat content on the specific pack with other varieties. If you want to control how much fat you add, check popcorn kernels and the recommended preparation method instead.

  • Focusing only on fat

    Sugar and salt levels also vary by variety: REWE lists 22 g of sugar per 100 g for the sweet variety mentioned above; HEIMATGUT lists 2.0 g of salt for its salted variety, while EDEKA lists 2.5 g of salt per 100 g for GUT&GÜNSTIG salted popcorn.

    Compare fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt on the same per-100 g basis.

  • Relying on online information instead of checking the pack

    The details on the variety you actually buy are especially important if guests need to avoid certain ingredients or allergens. EDEKA notes that product information shown online may differ from the packaging.

    Before serving, check the ingredients list, allergen information, ‘may contain’ warnings and nutritional information on the specific pack.

  • Opening hot microwave popcorn bags at the snack station

    REWE warns that hot steam may escape from its sweet microwave popcorn after cooking. So opening the bag is not a job for children.

    Follow the instructions on the bag and have an adult transfer the popcorn to bowls after cooking.

Popcorn brands to consider

REWE Beste Wahl

REWE lists its sweet microwave popcorn as a 300-g product.

  • REWE publishes the ingredients, nutritional information and preparation instructions for this variety.
  • The variety listed contains 13 g of fat and 22 g of sugar per 100 g; these figures don’t apply to other products from the brand.

GUT&GÜNSTIG (EDEKA)

EDEKA stocks salted microwave popcorn in a pack of three.

  • EDEKA provides the ingredients, nutritional information and microwave cooking instructions for this product.
  • EDEKA lists 21 g of fat and 2.5 g of salt per 100 g for this salted variety.

HEIMATGUT

HEIMATGUT offers, among other products, salted organic microwave popcorn.

  • For this product, the brand lists the ingredients and nutritional information, and warns that it may contain traces of milk.
  • HEIMATGUT lists 18 g of fat and 2.0 g of salt per 100 g for its salted microwave variety.

Seeberger

Seeberger describes its salted microwave popcorn as containing 90 g.

  • For this microwave variety, Seeberger provides preparation instructions and specifies a maximum of 1,000 watts without the grill function.
  • Check the nutritional information on the pack to decide whether this variety suits the fat comparison you want to make.

Popcorn kernels at Joybuy

These popcorn kernels are suited to making popcorn yourself for the Easter egg hunt, so you can plan how much fat to add. Before buying, check the preparation method recommended on the specific pack.

Seeberger popcorn kernels, described as a 500-g pack

Seeberger popcorn kernels, 500 g according to the title

For making popcorn yourself when you want to decide how much oil and seasoning to use.

Check the preparation instructions: they describe cooking in a pan or popcorn maker with oil, not specifically in an air fryer. Also check the actual pack size and, if you have allergy concerns, read the labelling on the specific pack.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘reduced fat’ tell you enough about popcorn’s nutritional value?

No. When choosing, check the nutritional information for the specific variety. Compare fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt per 100 g. The consumer advice centre also recommends checking the nutrition table when you see nutrition claims.

How can I control how much fat I add to popcorn?

With popcorn kernels, you can decide how much oil and which other ingredients to use. An EDEKA recipe for an air fryer uses 120 g of kernels and 2 tsp of oil. Check the relevant instructions to see whether this method is suitable for your kernels and appliance.

What should I bear in mind when serving microwave popcorn to children?

An adult should follow the cooking instructions on the bag and open it once it’s cooked. REWE warns that hot steam may escape from its sweet microwave variety after cooking. Transfer the popcorn to bowls before serving.

Where can I check for allergens for the Easter egg hunt?

Check the ingredients list, declared allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the specific pack. For example, HEIMATGUT warns that its salted microwave popcorn may contain traces of milk. This warning doesn’t automatically apply to other varieties.